Jagan gets bail in disproportionate assets case

Hyderabad: In a huge relief to YSR Congress chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, a special CBI court today granted him bail in the disproportionate assets case. The 40-year-old leader was granted bail after spending nearly 16 months in the Chanchalguda Central Jail. Special CBI court judge U Durgaprasada Rao granted bail to Jaganmohan Reddy on a personal bond of Rs two lakh and two securities of the like amount.The judge directed Jaganmohan not to leave Hyderabad without the court's permission and not to directly or indirectly induce or influence the witnesses. Besides, he was asked to be present before the court during the proceedings in the case.The court said CBI can approach for cancellation of bail if Jaganmohan violates any of these conditions. The case relates to investments made by various companies in Jaganmohan Reddy's firms as quid quo pro for various favours bestowed on them during the tenure of his father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as Chief Minister between 2004 and 2009.There were celebrations in the court premises soon after the order was read out with YSR Congress supporters and workers bursting firecrackers and exchanging sweets. Jaganmohan's wife Bharathi and several YSR Congress leaders were present in the courtroom. Later, YSRC spokesman Ambati Rambabu expressed full faith in the judiciary and said their leader will come out clean after the trial.Earlier, the CBI opposed Jaganmohan's bail petition contending that the Kadapa MP, if enlarged on bail, could influence the trial in the case.Jaganmohan had moved the court for bail on September 11 on the ground that the four-month deadline set by the Supreme Court for completion of investigation by the CBI had ended on September 9.The Supreme Court had on October 5, 2012 and on May 9 this year rejected the bail petitions of Jaganmohan, who has been lodged in the Chanchalguda Central Prison here since his arrest on May 27, 2012.In May this year, the apex court had directed the CBI to complete its investigation and file the charge sheet(s) within four months.Thereafter, the appellant could move the trial court, which would be “free to consider the prayer for bail independently on its merits without being influenced by dismissal of the present appeal,” the Supreme Court had said. The CBI counsel, however, had argued that “the observation of the Supreme Court pertains to completion of investigation and the petitioner (Jagan) is not automatically entitled for release on bail.”“The petitioner is a highly-influential person and if he is released on bail it will frustrate the process of trial,” CBI counsel said.In his bail plea, Jaganmohan said in view of the ongoing agitation in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions over the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, there was a need for him to be with the people and lead the stir as a leader of a political party.After hearing the arguments from both sides, the court had reserved its order on the bail plea for today. The premier investigative agency has filed 10 charge sheets in the DA case against Jaganmohan Reddy so far, the last two on September 17.Several former and serving ministers and bureaucrats are also accused in the case.